S
Skant
Guest
Houston, we have a problem.
It turns out that the shop I have switching the rear end in my 1996 Corvette LT4 CE from 3.45 to 4.11 doesn't have the facility to reprogram the computer for the new ratio. They say it will read high, will set a check engine light, and it won't pass smog in this condition. They're some months away from upgrading to the system they need to do that kind of reprogramming. But they aren't so equiped just yet.
So I've been checking around, and so far it's looking surprisingly difficult to just change the axle ratio in the computer.
The shop initially recommended that I use LT4-Edit if I have a laptop. I checked on this... LT4-Edit apparently costs $550, and does a ton more tuning stuff than I need for my rather stock car.
The shop says they have a Hypertech programmer that they could sell me for it that they'd cut me a good deal for about $400. I told them I've seen them for $300 and less online, and they think I may be looking at a lower model that can't do it.
I called Corvette Connection, and they said they have a system that can do such things, but they aren't sure if they can do 4.11. Their system may only do stock GM gear ratios. I told them about the tire size trick I'd heard of on these forums, and they said they didn't know if that would work or not. They're looking into it. If they can figure out how to do it, they'll charge me $40-$50.
I called Corvette Clinic, and they said they sell some converter box that goes on the transmission and could do it for like $150. They referred me to a place called Race Street Rally in San Jose with my question. So that place told me that I could buy a Predator programmer to do it. I could buy one for around $440. They said the Hypertech programmer changed gear ratios but can't actually do 4.11. They say the Hypertech does stock GM ratios only. And they said they could send the computer off to Ed Wright to program it for about $500.
I've searched the forums, and I'm not really finding an answer.
So... ummm... help? I really don't want to pay a big chunk of money for this... especially for options that are reported to maybe not even work... it doesn't seem like I should have to pay so much just to change one value in the ECM. But maybe I'm just dreamin here. I mean, if I have to pay that much I will. But... geez...
Is there a shop in the bay area that can just do it outright for a reasonable charge?
Any advice would be appreciated!
It turns out that the shop I have switching the rear end in my 1996 Corvette LT4 CE from 3.45 to 4.11 doesn't have the facility to reprogram the computer for the new ratio. They say it will read high, will set a check engine light, and it won't pass smog in this condition. They're some months away from upgrading to the system they need to do that kind of reprogramming. But they aren't so equiped just yet.
So I've been checking around, and so far it's looking surprisingly difficult to just change the axle ratio in the computer.
The shop initially recommended that I use LT4-Edit if I have a laptop. I checked on this... LT4-Edit apparently costs $550, and does a ton more tuning stuff than I need for my rather stock car.
The shop says they have a Hypertech programmer that they could sell me for it that they'd cut me a good deal for about $400. I told them I've seen them for $300 and less online, and they think I may be looking at a lower model that can't do it.
I called Corvette Connection, and they said they have a system that can do such things, but they aren't sure if they can do 4.11. Their system may only do stock GM gear ratios. I told them about the tire size trick I'd heard of on these forums, and they said they didn't know if that would work or not. They're looking into it. If they can figure out how to do it, they'll charge me $40-$50.
I called Corvette Clinic, and they said they sell some converter box that goes on the transmission and could do it for like $150. They referred me to a place called Race Street Rally in San Jose with my question. So that place told me that I could buy a Predator programmer to do it. I could buy one for around $440. They said the Hypertech programmer changed gear ratios but can't actually do 4.11. They say the Hypertech does stock GM ratios only. And they said they could send the computer off to Ed Wright to program it for about $500.
I've searched the forums, and I'm not really finding an answer.
So... ummm... help? I really don't want to pay a big chunk of money for this... especially for options that are reported to maybe not even work... it doesn't seem like I should have to pay so much just to change one value in the ECM. But maybe I'm just dreamin here. I mean, if I have to pay that much I will. But... geez...
Is there a shop in the bay area that can just do it outright for a reasonable charge?
Any advice would be appreciated!
